A few months ago I mentioned a stained glass window that I transported to the Santo Tomas Church in a journal titled, Blessed in Brokenness.  On January 8th, 2012 to celebrate Epiphany, we revealed the two large windows that I have been working on throughout this year. We celebrated by bringing gifts of time, talents and treasures to honor Christ among us.  The First Baptist Church of Port Angeles, WA donated towards the material costs of the two windows, a small group from the Santo Tomas Church worked together on the design, I donated the labor, long-term volunteer, Sarah Nash donated her Friday afternoons to help copper foil and keep me company, and many others worked to prepare the space and install them. What you see in the photos is the result of many hands offering the gifts they had to give in response to the grace they've received from God. 

A few notable aspects of the windows that I'd like to point out are the frame, the hands, and the water. 

 The frame includes coffee leaves and berries to represent the context where the community of faith in Santo Tomas lives. The church is located in the middle of coffee fields and during the year is reminded to look out and see that the harvest is ready, but the laborers are few. We pray for more laborers. 

The hands are darker in skin color to represent the indigenous roots of the believers that make up the community of faith. The hands are also actively engaged speaking of decision and cooperation. 

The water is a constant theme throughout both windows. In the first, representing chaos and all that keeps us from free living. The water flowing from the pitcher reminds us of justice that is like a never-ending stream. Healing and wholeness come into play when we serve and are served. The water flows out of the frame calling us to go beyond our comfort zones, outside the four walls of our churches into the neighborhoods and world around us to serve and share the life-changing good news of grace. 

My prayer is that these images will continue to speak and reflect God's gifts for years and generations to come. To God be the glory for the things God has done.

Thank you for being a part of what God is doing in our little corner of the world.

Mylinda